by Art Champoux

When I do a product review I look for many things. Quality, looks, value, construction, materials, price and even packaging.  Well there are few things that rate all high marks with me. Do not get me wrong there are a lot of high quality companies but of all the companies that I have dealt with, E. W. BATEMAN PRODUCTS has to be one of the top few in that elite group.

When I opened the box the packaging was sharp, crisp and eye catching.    Bateman sent me their Strap-On Recurve/Longbow Quiver to test.  I found the quiver to be unique, durable, very high quality in materials, functional and versatile.  From the hood to the unique arrow holder to the adjustability of the straps everything fit like it was advertised and held tight in every respect.

The Hood. 
The hood is made of double layers with a durable outer layer of quality brown suede leather all riveted together. The foam insert is the standard high-density foam that is all used by most quiver manufacturers but Bateman does something different. The suede leather does not just cover the top of the hood; it even covers the foam on the inside.  It has four cut outs to hold your arrows. These are cut for traditional two blade heads but one can modify them if necessary. A couple other features about the hood are: it is not metal, therefore no plastic sound hitting trees, rocks or banging hollow sound here. Second, the hood is flexible. Although the arrows are secured and well protected even if you fall, the toughness of the construction allows it to be quiet and protects the archer from the broadheads. Also the soft, non-reflective brown suede is a natural camo effect.

The Arm: 
The arm is made of rugged aluminum and again is strong, light and heavy duty. The eye-catching area is the different way the arrow holder looks and works. The metal brackets are shaped like a W. There are two of them made of metal and surrounded inside and out by rubber. This is a one piece unit with a single opening and the two arrows fit in separate compartments surrounded by metal and rubber then is repeated again both on one unit about five inches wide. Think of this, now you have four arrows held in by rubber surrounded by metal with a thin coat of rubber outside to stop noise. You cannot hit the arrows on the side and have them fall out. They are protected on three sides with an opening to engage or disengage them. I installed four arrows in the arrow holders and placed them in the hood placing the broadheads up and into the cutouts. I use five inch fletch however, no matter where the feathers were there was always an inch and a half between the fletching  of the other arrows.  Amazing and great. I tried, 1716s, 1916, 2016, 2114, 2213 and 2216 shafts all were held firmly in place, nothing touching and they and never moved.

The Straps:
The straps are made with foam and leather and are attached top and bottom. They are held onto the bow by stretch cords that wrap around and go over a small "knob". You can adjust each cord by untying it and retying it. A real plus as you will see. The leather straps have a thick layer of foam on the inside that cushions the straps on to your recurve or longbow snugly and securely. I wondered if they were going to fit the long bow. Well I strapped the recurve quiver on my recurve and it fit very nicely. The longbow concerned me. As most well know there is not much wood there. So I adjusted the stretch cord wrapped it around the riser. It fit nicely. On both bows I installed arrows and took them out  to shoot.  I shook the bows like a mad man. Not only did the quivers stay firmly in place, the arrows never budged, rattled or fell out. 

Another plus, I find is, is that  you can detach the quiver and hang it from a hook in your shed, basement or  tree without removing the arrows or slipping the quiver off the limbs.   Is there any thing bad about this?  Not that I could find. All this and it sells for a reasonable $46.98.

RATINGS:  (1 is Lowest and 5 is Highest)

• Quality  ................ 5
• Materials .............. 5
• Construction  .........5
• Adjustability...........5 
• Price ................... 5
• Workmanship....... 5
• Size.................... 5